If you've noticed water seeping into your car’s cabin you may just have a leaky windshield. Thankfully, there are hundreds of options on the market and to help, we've rounded up some of our top picks for your perusal! Read on to find out all that you need to know about windshield sealants and adhesives.
Comparison Table for Best Windshield Sealants on The Market in 2022
Name | Type | Suitable for: | Can it be used without tools? | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Permatex 81730 | Liquid | Small and hard to reach leaks | Yes | |
3M Auto Glass Urethane Windshield Adhesive | Paste | Windshield resealing | No | |
J-B Weld 31319 RTV Silicone Sealant and Adhesive | Paste | Quick fixes and patches | Yes | |
Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure | Liquid | Cracked glass | Yes | |
SIKA Auto Glass Sealant Windshield Urethane Glue | Paste | Windshield resealing | No | |
Permatex 81173 Black Silicone Adhesive Sealant | Paste | Quick fixes and patches | Yes |
1. Permatex 81730 Flowable Silicone Windshield and Glass Sealer - Overall Best in 2022
Not all pesky leaks require a specialist solution. The Permatex 81730 Silicone Windshield and Glass Sealer is one of those products aimed at the DIY end of the market and allows you to effectively seal off leaks quickly and easily without too much hassle. Since 1909, Permatex has led the development of innovative new products and services for both automotive professionals and DIY users. And their Flowable Silicone Windshield and Glass Sealer is one of their best products yet.
Features & Benefits of Permatex 81730
Pros
Cons
Verdict
A great product to use to seal-off hard-to-find and annoying leaks around a windshield surround. From a trusted name and with many glowing reviews you’re bound not to go wrong with the Flowable Silicone Windshield and Glass Sealer.
2. 3M Auto Glass Urethane Windshield Adhesive
When it comes to trusted names, it's hard to beat the heritage and legacy of 3M. Their Auto Glass Urethane Windshield Adhesive makes it to our list of best windshield sealants by virtue of its OEM-beating strength, and total windscreen-reseal applications.
Features and Benefits of 3M Auto Glass Urethane Windshield Adhesive
Pros
Cons
Verdict
There's no doubt that the 3M Auto Glass Urethane Windshield Adhesives is one of the best windscreen sealants on the market today. It's exceptionally strong, can be used for multiple automotive glass usages, and comes from a trusted name. However, it's also best suited for professional applications, as evidenced by the need to use a specialty applicator.
3. J-B Weld 31319 RTV Silicone Sealant and Adhesive
A brand that needs little introduction, J-B Weld is a popular name when it comes to adhesives and the best windscreen sealants. With over forty years of trust, their RTV Silicone Sealant and Adhesive promise to be just as effective for windscreen applications.
Features & Benefits of J-B Weld 31319
Pros
Cons
Verdict
A great solution for quick relief to tricky leaks. The J-B Weld 31319 RTV Silicone Sealant and Adhesive is ideal for time-sensitive mends. Although not suitable for a complete reseal of a windshield, it's still one of the best temporary sealants on the market, and one that comes highly recommended by those who've used it.
4. Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure
The majority of our products have focused on products to cure leaks that stem from around the windshield seams, but what about cracks on the glass itself? Does a crack on a windscreen automatically mean you need a replacement? Well thanks to Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure, you may have a cheaper and easier solution!
Features & Benefits of Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Although different to the other solutions on our list, Captain Tolley's Creeping Crack Cure certainly deserves inclusion in our list of the best windshield sealants. Effective at sealing even the most unnoticeable of cracks, the creeping crack cure could save you thousands of dollars off a replacement windshield.
5. Sikaflex P2G Primerless Adhesive
The Sika Auto Glass Sealant Windshield Urethane Glue Sikaflex is another option for those looking for a total windshield resealing option. A primerless, single-step windshield sealant, it is certainly more geared towards those who may be confident in their ability to refit a windshield DIY.
Features & Benefits of Sikaflex P2G Primerless Adhesive
Pros
Cons
Verdict
The SIKA Auto Glass Sealant Windshield Urethane Glue Sikaflex is one that may rightly be considered most suited to those with a professional background in auto windshield work. Yet, with a little patience and skill, even DIY-ers should be able to yield favorable results.
6. Permatex 81173 Black Silicone Adhesive Sealant
If you're looking for an all-in-one multipurpose sealant that can be used, not only for windshields and glass, then the Permatex 81173 Black Silicone Adhesive Sealant might be perfect for you.
Features & Benefits of Permatex 81173 Black Silicone Adhesive Sealant
Pros
Cons
Verdict
Although not the most specialized product on our list, Permatex does claim It's suitable for windscreens. And that, coupled with its many other uses, means that the Permatex Black Silicone Adhesive Sealant earns its place on our list, and very possibly in your garage arsenal.
Things to Consider Before Buying
If you're purchasing a windshield sealant for the first time, you may want to consider a few key points before settling on which sealant you want to use. We’ve listed some of the top considerations below.
Identifying the Problem
If you’re looking for a windshield sealant, the chances are that you’ve already identified what the problem is. But if not, now would be the time to seriously consider what steps need to be taken. For example, if you have a small leak, would it be best fixed by using a quick-fix sealant, or do you need to reseal the entire windscreen? Some of the products we’ve listed are suitable for small jobs, but not the larger ones, and vice versa.
How long do you have?
If you’re using the vehicle extensively, you might not have the luxury of having time on your hands. This is important to consider when looking at the various drying and curing times that come with the sealants. Some may take only a few hours to cure, yet other windshield sealants may need 24 hours.
What color sealant do you need?
One thing that may be overlooked is the color of the sealant applied. When drying, a windshield sealant may start to yellow. Conversely, if you’re doing a quick fix to an outer seal, you’ll want to ensure the colors match (eg: black sealant repair over black window surround).
Methods of Application
Have you wondered what the correct methods of application may be for the sealant? Do you have the tools, such as an applicator gun, that may be required for the correct application? Not all windshield sealants come with their own applicators, so this is something to bear in mind.
Durability
One of the most important factors to consider if the durability of the sealant you’re applying. Want it to last a lifetime? Or are you expecting it to be a stop-gap until a professional assessment? You need a sealant to be waterproof at the very least, but consider other factors such as resistance to extreme temperatures, and vibration.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I need to reseal my windshield?
The most common issue that is seen is water leaking into the cabin. However, there are other common symptoms, including if you notice your windshield lifting slightly at high speeds, or experience increased wind noise entering the cabin.
Do I have to reseal the entire windshield?
Windshield sealant may help to patch and plug leaks that are caused by rusting or corroded areas of metal, but they will not stop the spread or repair this rust. Once it takes hold, rust will continue to form and spread. This may result in further deterioration of your windscreen surround and more leaks in the future. The best way to attend to such a situation is to have the rusted areas cut out, and replaced with new metal. This may not always be viable though.
My carpets are damp, but I can’t see any noticeable leaks from my windscreen!
Damp carpets can be a symptom of many things, including AC leaks, sunroof leaks, and, yes, a leaking windshield. If your carpets are damp this usually means the lower edge of your windshield is leaking, causing water to run down the bulkhead and collect in the footwell. This can be harder to notice and identify.
Can I use a windshield sealant on other areas of my vehicle?
You may be able to use windshield sealant as an adhesive for other fixed glass locations, such as the rear windshield and some lights. Some users have been known to use windshield sealant as a fix-all solution from everything to keeping fenders attached to securing interior trim. Although we wouldn't recommend this, it's worth consulting the manufacturer's instructions about this.
Conclusion
With many options on the market, the six top windshield sealants mentioned here all have what it takes to get the job done. Each of them has been selected due to their potential to deliver outstanding results. Although many of the products listed here are designed for a particular job in mind, they all are outstanding in their class when it comes to their sealant and adhesive abilities.